Mural at Yates HS unveiled to honor George Floyd, Black Lives Matter movement

Alabama Street runs for about eleven miles through the heart of Houston, starting in the Third Ward and ending just past the Galleria. At the eastern edge of Alabama—where it begins as a two-lane road—sits Jack Yates High School.

It’s on that stretch where three words now cover the street: Black Lives Matter.

The massive letters are part of a new mural in front of Yates, honoring its own George Floyd. The project, a partnership between Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the Houston Society for Change and approved through the City of Houston, has been in the planning stages since last summer.

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Alynthia Curtis named new principal of Atherton Elementary School

Alynthia Curtis has been selected as the new principal of Atherton Elementary School. Curtis has served as the assistant principal of Atherton for the past 10 years. During her tenure there, the school earned a Texas “A” Rating along with numerous distinctions.

She has advised and supported students with the “Girls and Pearls” and “Boys with Bow Ties” mentorship programs. She began her educational career 27 years ago as a first- and second-grade teacher and also has served in middle school as a literacy coach. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston-Downtown and her master’s degree at Prairie View A&M University.

Virtual Study Hall offered for college-level course assistance

HISD’s Innovation and Postsecondary Programming department is currently offering a Virtual Study Hall for students taking High School Advanced Placement, IB, Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment courses.

This free after-school resource will be offered online every Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. and include help with college-level course assistance.

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Last virtual school choice fair on Feb. 13 as Phase 2 deadline nears

Parents who would like to explore HISD’s portfolio of school choice options for the 2021-2022 school year are invited to the final virtual School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Representatives from HISD campuses will be available, and attendees can get help submitting their application. Parents can log into the virtual fair here.

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Project Explore welcomes new students with virtual orientations

More than 800 students attended virtual orientations for HISD’s Project Explore program, which helps middle school students in underserved areas across the district.

As schools continue to navigate social distancing and virtual learning, Project Explore onboarded more than 800 new members to the program from 28 middle schools. Project Explore advisors held orientations with their new members and their families online. 

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New HISD Neighborhood Supersite opening at Butler Stadium

The Houston Independent School District is opening a sixth Neighborhood Supersite at Butler Stadium in Southwest Houston to better serve families across the city.

The move is part of an ongoing effort to streamline student meals and community distribution efforts and focus food and resources at sites where the need is greatest.

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Atherton ES principal retires after 55 years of service in HISD

A line of cars snaked through the parking lot of Atherton Elementary School, out onto Rawley Street, and stretched toward nearby Boyce-Dorian Park—horns honking as they made their way to the front of the line.

But on this sunny Friday afternoon, the cars were not a part of a student pickup line or another traffic jam. They cheered from their cars with signs and balloons to celebrate Dr. Albert Lemons, who was retiring as principal of Atherton after 55 years with HISD.

Faculty and staff at Atherton organized a drive-through parade to celebrate, with countless community members participating, as well as Mayor Sylvester Turner and Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

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HISD innovators encouraged to dream big as HISD By Design launches

District seeking project proposals from educators that boost student achievement

In March 2020, COVID-19 gave rise to unprecedented challenges affecting every sector of the U.S. economy, and education was no exception. There was no roadmap, no course you could take to figure out what to do. Everything was uncertain.

Through it all, however, educators have continued to show what they are made of. Teachers and teacher leaders quickly transformed their classrooms from in-person to virtual, became masters of blended learning, and used their creativity to ensure that every child received a high quality education.

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HISD celebrates Black History Month

This February marks the 95th year of the official celebration of Black History Month, a month set aside to acknowledge and honor the work of generations of African Americans who have made a mark on history, and forever changed the American cultural landscape.

Here in HISD, schools across the district celebrate the month with a wide variety of programs and curriculum that help educate students on the impact of Black Americans, both today and throughout our history.

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Redesigned HISD website launched with improved navigation, accessibility

The Houston Independent School District has launched a redesigned website to provide more accessibility and improved navigation for all users.

The redesign, which retains its mobile-friendly format, is a reflection of the district’s commitment to making the information on its website accessible to individuals with disabilities in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

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